[guest post by JVW]

The Turkish military is claiming that they have taken over management of the country, according to news outlets. Details are sketchy as of this moment, with reports that there are tanks on the streets of Ankara and that F-16s are flying low over the city. The government has acknowledged that a coup is underway, but is claiming that it has not (yet?) been successful.

I’ll be away for a few hours this afternoon, so I invite Dana, JD, or Patterico to update this post as more details emerge.

UPDATE 2:15 pm (Pacific Daylight Time) – From CNN: “U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Moscow that he has been given reports about what is going on. ‘I don’t have any details. I hope there will be peace, stability and continuity in Turkey,’ he said.”

UPDATE 2:21 pm – The Israeli news agency Haaretz seems to have pretty good coverage along with pictures. They say that CNN reports that Turkish President Erdogen is safe, though I didn’t come across that on CNN’s website.

– JVW

UPDATE – Here are several updates from the AP:

A lawyer for the Turkish government says “there are indications of direct involvement” in the coup attempt of a cleric who is living in exile in Pennsylvania.

Robert Amsterdam said in a statement Friday evening that he and his firm “have attempted repeatedly to warn the U.S. government of the threat posed” by Fethullah Gulen and his movement.

He says that according to Turkish intelligence sources, “there are signs that Gulen is working closely with certain members of military leadership against the elected civilian government.”

The president of a group that promotes Gulen’s ideas denied the charges.

Also, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says that “things are getting better every minute”.

And, arrests are being made:

NTV television is quoting the prosecutor’s office in Ankara saying at least 42 people have been killed in “attacks” in the capital.

According to Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, the number of soldiers who were arrested in the coup plot has increased to 130.

Further, according to Bloomberg twitter feed, Turkey’s President Erdogan says rebellion-leaders “will pay a heavy price for their treason”.

–Dana

[guest post by Dana]

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has raised the ire of the French citizenry with this dreadful assertion made on the heels of yesterday’s horrific terror attack that left 84 dead:

“Times have changed, and France is going to have to live with terrorism, and we must face this together and show our collective sang-froid,” he said. “France is a great country and a great democracy and we will not allow ourselves to be destabilized.”

Reactions from the public to his surrender-monkey resignation comments ran along a similar vein:

The government is “unable to protect French people,” @DamienLcc wrote on Twitter, while @lazgougeon added that the nation doesn’t have “to get used to the incompetence of our leaders!”

“What? More people should be killed to wake you up, fool!” @MathiasLiurno added.

“You don’t have any shame?” “It gave me chills.” “The sword of Damocles over our heads”

This comment succinctly expresses the unfortunate truth of the matter:

What did they think was going to happen? What do they think the government is going to do to stop terrorism? There’s absolutely nothing they can do because this is the path they’ve decided to take and leftists around the world are now the parties of death. The leftists will howl and scream if there’s any idea of strong borders or deportation. They’d rather die than be called xenophobes or racists.

Clearly, although the comment was made in response to yesterday’s attack, it isn’t just applicable to France. Which reminds me, President Obama is expected to talk about the events in Nice later today.

–Dana

[guest post by Dana]

The official public announcement will be made tomorrow, reportedly in New Jersey.

–Dana